Last updated: October 9, 2026. Nebraska was the third state to get federal Workforce Pell approvals. ED approved three programs at Metropolitan Community College (MCC) in Omaha (ED). For how the grant works nationally, see our Workforce Pell Grant guide.
ED-approved programs in Nebraska
| College | Program | Approved by ED | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College | Phlebotomy Technician | Sep 14, 2026 | ED |
| Metropolitan Community College | Pharmacy Technician | Sep 14, 2026 | ED |
| Metropolitan Community College | CompTIA Tech+ with Google IT Support | Sep 14, 2026 | ED |
ED: "Eligible students at Metropolitan Community College can now use Federal Pell Grant dollars to enroll in its Phlebotomy Technician, Pharmacy Technician, and CompTia Tech+ with Google IT Support programs. These programs aim to prepare students for key healthcare and information technology professions" (ED). The Nebraska Department of Labor lists the same three programs (NDOL).
As of this update, the MCC CompTIA Tech+ program is the only IT program ED has approved anywhere. Don't assume other IT or coding courses qualify unless ED has approved them.
No program at any other Nebraska college has been announced by ED.
Who runs Workforce Pell in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) runs state approval. Programs "go through a two-step approval process — first by the Nebraska Department of Labor on behalf of the Governor, then by the U.S. Department of Education" (NDOL). NDOL consults the Nebraska Workforce Development Board (NWDB) quarterly. Applications "must be received no later than 45 days prior to a quarterly NWDB meeting," and the next listed meeting is Friday, December 4, 2026 (NDOL).
NDOL's 2026–27 list covers "40 approved occupations" with "97 distinct types of training programs that institutions may potentially offer under Workforce Pell" (NDOL occupation and program list). NDOL has named healthcare, trades and construction, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, public safety, business and administration, and agriculture and equipment as fields for future programs (NDOL).
Official page: dol.nebraska.gov/ne-workforce-pell. Contact: [email protected] (NDOL).
How Nebraska students apply
NDOL: "eligible students follow the same application process used for traditional Pell Grants," and students "should contact their community college or visit their institution's financial aid office" (NDOL). In practice, that means filing the FAFSA and enrolling in an approved program. Your school then flags your record for Workforce Pell (FSA).